"It's not just the first place—both first and second can receive Lord Void's sub-flame," Hun San said respectfully.
"Both first and second place?"Hun Xiu raised an eyebrow at Hun San's words. Since when did Void Swallowing Flame become so generous?Or… was it that his cheap old man had grown soft?
"Yes," Hun San nodded earnestly. "However, while both first and second place receive a sub-flame, there's a significant difference in quality between the two."
"A difference?""Do you mean a high-grade sub-flame versus an ordinary one?" Hun Xiu asked tentatively.
"Yes." Hun San confirmed, "The champion of the clan tournament will receive a high-grade sub-flame, while the runner-up will only get an ordinary one."
"Got it."Hun Xiu nodded slightly, then asked, "How strong is the younger generation in the clan these days?"
He had confidence in winning first place, but caution was necessary. He wasn't the only genius in the Hun Clan. Others were talented as well—his presence had merely overshadowed them.But to underestimate them because of that? That would be a grave mistake.
Just like in the story of the tortoise and the hare—the hare lost due to carelessness.He wouldn't repeat that lesson. Not in a world where everyone could cultivate, where everyone had the chance to rise above others. Underestimating people was the most fatal weakness.
Hun San replied, "Most of the younger generation are at the Dou Wang level. But Young Master Hun Feng, Young Master Hun Yu, and Miss Hun Huan'er are all at the Dou Huang level."
"Huh?"Hun Xiu was clearly surprised. A flicker of shock appeared on his handsome face.
He muttered in disbelief, "Most are at Dou Wang… and Hun Feng, Hun Yu, and Hun Huan'er have already reached Dou Huang?"
He had always believed his cultivation speed was monstrous. Reaching Dou Huang at his age should've made him a true outlier among the clan's youth.But now, hearing Hun San's words, he realized—he wasn't the only one. There were others who had climbed just as high.
"So I really did underestimate the younger generation," he thought. "I assumed most would be stuck at Dou Wang, and that I alone had reached Dou Huang. Turns out I was wrong."
Hun San nodded, not hiding anything:"Young Master Hun Feng is already a Five-Star Dou Huang, Young Master Hun Yu is Four-Star, and Miss Hun Huan'er is at Two-Star Dou Huang."
"Damn…"Hun Xiu was stunned. "All three of them surpassed me?"
Then he changed the tone, asking with a half-smile:"Uncle San, what are my chances of winning first place in this tournament?"
Without much hesitation, Hun San replied seriously, "Ninety percent, at least."
He knew that while Hun Xiu's cultivation level might be slightly lower, his actual combat power was far superior.
Hun Feng and the others might have higher realms, but in terms of true battle ability, they couldn't match Hun Xiu.
"No…"Hun Xiu shook his head with a confident grin."Uncle San, you meant one hundred percent."
Hun San: "..."
Three Days Later
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
The enormous plaza was now packed with a sea of people. The air buzzed with excitement.These were all members of the Hun Clan. Despite the clan's strength, not everyone was a powerhouse—there were still many "ordinary people." After all, not every member of a large clan could be a dragon among men.
The true powerhouses sat on the elevated platform that had long been prepared, while the rest could only stand in the plaza below.
But what was considered a powerhouse?
In the outside world, a Dou Zong was already considered powerful. In more remote regions, even a Dou Huang or Dou Wang could be viewed as experts.
But within the Ancient Eight Clans, only a Dou Zun could truly be considered a strong expert. A Dou Zong? That was just average at best.
At the center of the plaza stood a massive dueling stage, and on it was a black-robed middle-aged man. His face was expressionless and serious.
This man was Hun Dun, a powerful elder of the Hun Clan—at least on the surface.His true strength? That was not yet convenient to disclose.
He would serve as the referee for this year's clan tournament.
Hun Dun looked toward the center seat of the elevated platform—where Hun Tiandi sat. With a subtle nod from Hun Tiandi, Hun Dun understood.
Retracting his gaze, Hun Dun surveyed the crowd and spoke in a deep voice:"Silence."
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly echoed throughout the entire plaza, quieting the crowd in an instant. All eyes turned toward him.
Satisfied, Hun Dun nodded slightly and said,"Now, I ask the younger generation participants in this clan tournament to come up to the stage."
"I will call names. If your name is called, come forward on your own. If I call your name three times and you haven't shown up, you will be considered to have forfeited."
After this short announcement, he began the roll call.
"Hun Dan."
Woosh!
A chubby figure suddenly soared into the air from the crowd. Large black wings unfolded from his back.
Wearing black robes to match his wings, and with his round figure, he looked like a… fat crow. It was a sight few could look at without grimacing.
He landed gracefully on the stage, folding his black wings back into his body.
Seeing Hun Dan in position, Hun Dun called the next name:"Hun Douluo."
Whoosh!
Another figure shot into the air. This time, a pair of white wings spread open gracefully.
Many young men in the crowd were instantly captivated.
"Douluo is so beautiful…"
"Watch your mouth! You think you're worthy of calling her that?"
Hun Douluo wore flowing white robes, and combined with her elegant beauty and angelic wings, she looked like a celestial being descended to the mortal world.
She landed gently on the stage.
Hun Dun continued:"Hun Qiu."..."Hun Tianxin."..."Hun Fengxin."..."Hun Yitian."...
One by one, more names were called and more youths ascended to the dueling stage.
Soon, more than fifty young cultivators stood on the stage—both male and female, strong and less strong.
The strongest among them had reached Nine-Star Dou Wang, and the weakest were still One-Star Dou Wang.
But none—absolutely none—were below the Dou Wang level. Not a single Dou Ling-tier weakling had made it this far.
And the roll call still wasn't finished.
On the high platform, Gu Yuan observed the gathering youths with a subtle whistle of admiration.He turned to Hun Tiandi and said with a tinge of envy,"Brother Hun, your clan's younger generation is truly remarkable."
As he spoke, he even gave Hun Tiandi a thumbs up—a genuine sign of praise.